Great pipefish

D-Grosse Seenadel; GB-Greater pipefish; DK-Stor Tangnål; PL-Iglicznia większa; EST-Suur merinõel; RU-Обыкновенная морская игла; FIN-Isoneula; S-Större kantnål

Characters

1) Bump on the neck.
2) Snout longer than half of length of head; diameter of snout round.
●) Caudal and pectoral fins present; pelvic fins absent.
●) Body colouration brownish, often with dark vertical stripes and a greenish glimmer.
Up to maximal 45 cm length.

Similar species

Deep-snouted pipefish - snout laterally compressed and usually deep.

Lesser pipefish - snout not exceeding half the length of head; "neck" not elevated.

Straightnose pipefish - without caudal and pectoral fins.

Snake pipefish - without pectoral fins; caudal fin very small, hardly visible.

Fifteen-spined stickleback - Pelvic fins present; 14 to 17 dorsal spines.

Biology

Restricted to algae and seagrass beds in depth of 3 to 12 m. In spring or summer the female deposits 100 to 250 eggs into the brood pouch of the male. The male incubates the eggs; 30 mm large young fish hatch after 5 weeks. Life expectancy 2-3 years.

Diet

Feeds on small crustaceans and fish fry.

Importance

Of no commercial importance.